Geranium plant named `Fissamba`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Fissamba`, particularly characterized by the combined features of bright red flowers arranged tightly in compact, almost spherically shaped umbels, medium green foliage with distinct zonation, medium growth habit and early flower response.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name `Fissamba`.

`Fissamba` is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with red flower color,medium green, zoned foliage, and medium sized plant habit.

`Fissamba` was originated from a hybridization made by the inventorAngelika Utecht in a controlled breeding program in Galdar, GranCanaria, Spain, in 1991. The female parent was the cultivar `Fisnida`,characterized by single orange-red flowers, and medium green foliagewith distinct zonation. The male parent of `Fissamba` was the commercialvariety `Robe`, having dark cherry red semi-double flowers, and light tomedium green foliage with weak zonation.

`Fissamba` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Angelika Utecht in 1992 in a controlledenvironment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain. The first act of asexualreproduction of `Fissamba` was accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initial selection in Autumn 1990 in a controlledenvironment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, or under the supervisionof, Angelika Utecht.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings initiatedin May 1993 in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany and continuingthereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for `Fissamba` are firmly fixed and are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Fissamba` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length,without, however, any variation in genotype.

The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describeplants grown in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Fissamba`, which in combination distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Bright red flower color with good stability.

2. Round, weakly semi-double flowers, in compact, almost sphericallyshaped inflorescences.

3. Medium green foliage with distinct zonation.

4. Medium sized, compact plant habit.

5. Early flower response.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to `Fissamba` are the parent cultivars `Fisnida`and `Robe`, and the cultivar `Fiscrid`, disclosed in Plant Pat. No.8,726.

In general comparison to its parent cultivars, `Fissamba` has anintermediate flower color, an intense bright red with less orange than`Fisnida`, but lighter and with less bluish tint than `Robe`. `Fissamba`has distinctly zoned foliage, similar to `Fisnida`, but stronger thanthe leaves of `Robe`. In further comparison to `Fisnida`, `Fissamba` hassemi-double rather than single flowers, a shorter plant habit withsmaller inflorescences on weaker peduncles, and an earlier springflowering response.

In comparison to `Fiscrid`, `Fissamba` has a slightly darker flowercolor, smaller diameter umbels, fewer petals per flower, more distinctzonation, smaller leaves, a less spreading plant habit, and an earlierflower response.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Fissamba`, with colors being as true as possible toillustrations of this type.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS). The color values weredetermined indoors from flowers taken from plants grown in a greenhousein May 1995 in Hillscheid, Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.--A hybrid of the species Pelargonium zonale l'hert.

Commercial.--Zonal geranium, cv. `Fissamba`

Inflorescence

Umbel:

Shape.--Semi-spherical to spherical.

Average diameter.--91 mm.

Average depth.--51 mm.

Peduncle length.--139 mm.

Pedicel length.--20 mm.

Pedicel color.--Mainly dark red.

Number of flowers per umbel.--About 30-40.

Corolla:

Average diameter.--47 mm.

Form.--Semi-double.

Number of petals.--7-11.

Number of petaloids.--2.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Bright red.

Color of upper petals.--44 A.

Markings on upper petals.--No markings.

Color of lower petals.--45 B.

Color of lower surface of petals.--43 A.

Color of sepals.--Green, red at base.

Number of sepals.--5-6.

Bud:

Shape.--Broad elliptic.

Color (adaxial).--Light green.

Color (abaxial).--Rose-red to red.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--5-7 fertile anthers, white and pink filaments, orangepollen.

Gynoecium.--5-6 lobed stigma, red style and stigma.

Seed set.--A few seeds are occasionally developed.

Spring flowering response period: In Hillscheid, Germany in 1995, plantshad on average 1.0 flowers opened 11 weeks after planting of unrootedcuttings.

Outdoor flower production: The flower count in 1994 in Hillscheid,Germany indicated about 28 umbels per plant for May through Augustobservation period.

Durability: Good shatter resistance.

Plant

Foliage

Form.--Kidney-shaped.

Margin.--Bicrenated.

Upper surface.--Medium green, approximately 137 A.

Size of leaf.--78 mm.

Color of upper surface.--Medium green, approximately 137 C.

Color of zonation.--Brown, about 166 A.

Tolerance of botrytis.--Average.

General appearance and form:

Internode length.--10-20 mm.

Branching pattern.--4.6 branches per plant, based on 16 week old plants.

Height of foliage.--16 cm, measured in June on 16 week old plants.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named`Fissamba`, as illustrated and described.